Do you ever have “duh” moments with God’s Word? I will admit that I have! I will read a word in scripture and fixate on how it was used in that verse or how Webster’s dictionary defines it, and then attempt to apply that same meaning to its use in other scriptures throughout the Bible. But it doesn’t always work that way…
For instance, let’s take the word GRACE. “Grace, Grace, Wonderful Grace, Flowing Down from the Father Above” – beautiful words, to a beautiful song. Grace is the Christian’s favorite word. It’s God’s gift to us. I had always understood it to mean “Unmerited Favor” – which it does. But it also means so – much – more!! I remember many years ago, when God revealed this to me. I was hungry for more of Him and was searching for what I already possessed - His Grace!
Grace is God’s POWER at work in and through us, so that we might accomplish what it is He has designed for us to do! It’s God’s strength – it’s HIS power – it’s HIS abundancy – it’s HIS sufficiency – it’s HIS abounding love! It’s all of these gifts that HE gives to us - freely.
As John Piper put it so elegantly, “The obedience that gives God pleasure is produced by the power of God’s grace through faith. The same dynamic is at work at every stage of the Christian life. The power of God’s grace that saves through faith (Ephesians 2:8) is the same power of God’s grace that sanctifies through faith.”
Grace is not only the gift of undeserved favor, but it’s God’s innate power residing within us, to assist us to live and walk out the Christian tenants. Without it, we can do nothing. Without God’s grace, we can’t obey. Without God's grace, we can't be saved!
Grace allows us to approach God’s throne, BOLDLY! Imagine that! We, simple humans, can walk boldly into God’s throne room – right up to Him - whether you just want to be in His presence or desperately need His touch. We can climb up on His lap if we want – it’s big enough to hold us all! There we can find the mercy and the power we need in our time of trouble, and His companionship that we crave!
If you don’t have a full understanding of God’s GRACE or if you're feeling overwhelmed with life, I encourage you to do a topical study of the word. Go to the back of your Bible index – find the word Grace – and then starting in Genesis, look up each verse containing the word GRACE, and journal about how it applies to your life. By the time you reach Revelations, I promise, you’ll never be the same and your spirit will be revived!
Blessings!
Allison
PS: Here’s a few verses that speak to me!
Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
John 1:16-17 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ
Romans 3:23-24 ... for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus
Romans 6:14 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God ...
Titus 2:11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people
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